I received a note from a friend from seminary this week. “There is no hope for us now.” I responded, “The Word and Promises of Christ never fail. Therefore hope never dies. Courage brother, the best it yet to come.” He replied, “Amen! ‘Though the wrong seems oft so strong, HE is the ruler yet!. “Sing it brother! Then believe and rest in it. I am trying to myself.
I have another friend from seminary who was recently diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of cancer. She has a Caring Bridge site and she writes frequently and honestly in it. Here is a sample, “Having a rare form of nasty cancer, knowing what’s coming in some ways and living also with the mysterious unknown future….or not…has radically changed how I think.”
“While being terrified of that unknown, I keep coming back to what really matters in life. Love. Love is what matters. Not being “right.” I’ve had to drop my own weapons that I had toward a few people that have hurt and harmed me. I’ve needed to see people better in light of their sufferings….my paraphrase of a Bonhoeffer quote….and forgive generously.”
“At the end of my life (whenever that is), when it’s all said and done, what do I want to be most known/remembered about me? I want for people to be able to look at my life and say “Hey that Jesus guy seems pretty great. I’d like to know more about him.””
It is such and encouragement to me to see my brothers and sisters fighting depression and despair in a fallen world with faith. Knowing Christ, and resting in the gospel at the most difficult times it possible.
No matter what life throws at us, we can overcome through the love of God in Christ.
Are you tempted to despair? Are you tottering on depression? Romans 8:37, “No, in all these things we are more than conquerers through him who loved us.” Men, women, to arms!! Victory is assured.